It was an hour or so later that the two companions led their steeds out onto the road. Once mounted, Jamie urged his mare into a walk, heading west, where he had originally been headed what now seemed so long ago. Only last night! Joanna held her stallion in check as she watched, and called out to him "Jamie! Not that way!"
He pulled up, and turned to face her, but did not retrace his steps. "Why not?" His tone betrayed some impatience.
"That way is to take the hot route. It would be wiser to head
away
from the scene of my last night's business."
"Oh!" He nudged the mare back into a walk, then a trot, and passed the girl where she waited, as she fell in beside him. They rode in easy silence for a while. He was thinking about his lack of funds. All his money was gone. That was why he had left the inn so silently in the dark evening yesterday. He needed to refill his purse, and now that his pistol and rapier were restored to him he could find a use for them if a target offered itself.
He glanced at his pretty companion now and again. Seeing her in the daylight he decided she was indeed only twenty-one or twenty-two. And God! Pretty was not strong enough a word. Striking, beautiful even? Her hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders in a red-brown storm, to the middle of her back. She still wore the constricting corset to aid her disguise as a man, but as he looked at her flattened chest he remembered how the flesh trapped there had peeked out in delicious allure when he took her on the ground. He sighed.
She caught his glances from the corner of her eye, but gave no sign she was aware of his attention. Inwardly she smiled. He had surprised her this morning, taking her in hand like that! It had been so much better than the games she had played with lovers in the past. He had made a reality of something she had merely played at before. Her breasts rose, and she felt the tight uncomfortable squeeze of the corset. Well! There was more in him than she had first thought? Then it would be all the more fun to tame him! She did not doubt for a moment that it would be done. As she thought of his indignation at her commanding manner she laughed involuntarily.
He looked at her curiously. "Why are you laughing girl?"
She jerked out of her reverie in surprise, and turned her head to him. Wondering how she should answer, she decided it might be fun to tell the truth. "I was thinking of how it annoys you when I am commanding in my manner with you."
"And that amuses you!" He was indignant.
"Well ... yes, to tell the truth. And will you not call me girl. I think you should have learned already that I'm at least as old and wise as you in a number of ways!"
"Will I not call you girl - please?" He countered, his smile suddenly taking on a boyish impertinence.
"Sir! Will you make a Lady
beg
to be addressed properly? I had thought better of you."
His response was such a look of feigned hurt and indignation that she dissolved into giggles.
He returned seriously. "I will try not to call you girl. Though I mean the address as no mark of disrespect Lady."
Her giggles stopped abruptly. "Oh Jamie, don't take me so seriously. I'm afraid you have a manner invites me to tease you." Her eyebrows arched suggestively at the word "tease".
He smiled back, and then fell once more into wondering about his young companion. He resolved that, the next time they sat at ease, he would ask for payment in kind for his own brief life story. He thought back to how easy they had been with each other, sitting there by the fire eating, after their three such fervent couplings of the previous few hours. And that fucking! He had not felt so wholly animal, so completely beyond his mind's control, in all his life. Although he had taken other women with vigour enough, his couplings with this Joanna seemed to transcend all bounds of reason and restraint.
-
Two hours or so later they were approaching the village and the inn which Jamie had abandoned stealthily the previous day. He was not inclined to risk being seen in the village. No doubt the innkeeper would have told all and sundry how the dark-clad gentleman had disappeared without having paid a penny of his bill. Jamie pondered what to tell Joanna. He did not wish to admit the truth to her, as he suspected she would be less than impressed. Finally, desperate to avoid the place before they became recognisable, he turned towards her. "Joanna" he began, not knowing quite what he would say, "I would prefer not to be seen here. Will you ride around this village with me?"
As it happened she did not question him. No doubt she assumed it was something to do with his highwayman's activities. "Yes indeed Sir, it is no hardship." He felt a little awkward under the warm smile which she directed to him.
It was another hour or more before they came across the next village. The inn here was one which Jamie had frequented when last he had been in funds, and he remembered it with some affection. A certain serving-wench had caught his eye during his sojourn there, and she had not been averse to his advances. He had also enjoyed a few games of cards and dice with some of the local gentry under that roof. He turned to Joanna "What say we stay here for today? I know this inn. It is a warm and friendly place."
She shook her head, then laughed at his crestfallen expression. "Oh come Sir, let me buy us lunch there. Then I'll replenish my supplies and show you good fare at our evening encampment." He nodded, brightening somewhat.
They rode through into the inn-yard and handed their mounts over to a young ostler, with instructions to feed and groom them well. On an impulse Jamie offered his arm to Joanna, and she laid her hand upon it. Thus they entered the house. It was almost deserted, apart from two labourers sat at one bench in the far corner with a mug of ale apiece. The innkeeper advanced towards them, eager to augment his guests. He was a middle-aged man, rather portly, cleanly dressed, and welcoming in manner. "Sir. Mistress. How may I help you?"
Jamie started to speak, but Joanna squeezed his arm gently as she cut in "Bring us food and drink to refresh us. We have been travelling much these past days and have had little chance to eat well. My companion Jamie here is famished it seems."
At mention of his name Jamie immediately stiffened and flushed slightly. Damn! He had forgotten that his names would not tally!
"I can offer cold meats and cheese, fresh bread, and fruit My Lady, if that will suffice? I'm afraid there will be nothing hot 'til evening."
"That will be good enough. Wine please for me. And for you too Jamie?" Her consort looked embarrassed and glanced rather guiltily at their host. She wondered at it.
He nodded "Aye ... wine for me too."
The innkeeper bustled off. Jamie led her to a table near the hearth, where a low fire burned. He held a seat for her and seated himself opposite.
